Plate retainer assembly

ABSTRACT

A facsimile signature plate is retained on a data recorder machine by a plate retainer assembly comprising a leaf spring secured to the bed of the machine and a plate retainer mounted on the leaf spring with the plate retainer having locator pins for cooperating with apertures in the facsimile signature plate and the bed and a flange on the plate retainer for pivoting the assembly against the bias of the leaf spring to release the facsimile signature plate.

United States Patent [191 Ziska I PLATE RETAINER ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor:John C. Ziska, Wickliffe, Ohio [73] Assignee: Addressograph-MultigraphCorporation, Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.2324,937

[52] U.S. Cl. 101/110, 24/81 AE, 24/230 CF, 101/369, 101/408, 248/316 B,269/54 [51] Int. Cl B411 47/04 [58] Field of Search 101/269, 368, 369,383, 101/385, 382 R, 407 BP, 408; 269/47, 49,

50, 52, 54; 24/81 AB, 230 CF, 230 F, 230

SC; 248/316 B, 475 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 687,86212/1901 Smith 269/254 R Maszczyk 269/49 Bates 101/407 BP [451 May-28,1974 3,138,091 6/1964 Maul 101/269 X 3,198,168 8/1965 Grupe 101/297 X3,478,683 11/1969 Hopkins et al 101/368 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS958,926 4/1957 Germany 101/408 Primary Examiner-Clyde l. CoughenourAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Ray S. Pyle 7 1 ABSTRACT A facsimile signatureplate is retained on a data recorder machine by a plate retainerassembly comprising a leaf spring secured to the bed of the machine anda plate retainer mounted on the leaf spring with the plate retainerhaving locator pins for cooperating with apertures in the facsimilesignature plate and the bed and a flange on the plate retainer forpivoting the assembly against the bias of the leaf spring to release thefacsimile signature plate.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEH HAY 2 8 5974 FIG. I

NTH W I PLATE RETAINER ASSEMBLY This invention relates to data recordermachines for imprinting documents such as negotiable instruments or thelike and, more particularly, to a quick release plate retainer assemblyfor securing facsimile signature plates in position on such machines.

Manually operated data recorders are adapted to be used with plasticidentification cards for imprinting various types of documents such asnegotiable instruments. In imprinting such documents, a facsimilesignature plate is used to imprint the document with a facsimile of anauthorized signature. Hleretofore, facsimile signature plates have beensecured on such machines by screws which mount the plate on the bed ofthe machine. Since each operator has their own facsimile signatureplate, each time there is a change in operators using a machine, itentails a substantial time lapse while one facsimile signature plate isremoved and another one is installed.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a facsimilesignature plate retainer assembly which permits the interchanging offacsimile signature plates with a minimum interruption in operation ofthe data recorder machine.

A further object is to make operation of the device from the customersside of the machine quit akward in order to discourage attempt to stealthe signature plate out of the machine.

In accordance with the invention, a plate retainer assembly is providedwhich comprises a leaf spring secured to the bed of the data recordermachine adjacent to the position for the facsimile signature plate. Theleaf spring supports a plate retainer which has a pair of locator pinsadjacent to forward edge adapted to cooperate with apertures both in thefacsimile signature plate and the bed of the machine. The plate retainerincludes an up-turned flange at the rearward edge thereof with theflange defining a fulcrum point so that by depressing the flange, theplate retainer is pivoted against the normal bias of the leaf springthereby withdrawing the locator pins from the apertures in the base andpermitting either the insertion or the removal of a facsimile signatureplate.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical data recorder machine in whichthis invention may be utilized;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the facsimile signature plateretainer assembly constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the plate retainer assembly showing thefree state condition of the leaf spring.

FIG. 1 illustrates a data recorder machine, indicated generally by thereference numeral 10, in which this invention may be employed. Thismachine comprises a bed 12, a space 14 on the bed adapted to receive anidentification or credit card, a movable platen 16 adapted toreciprocate through an imprinting cycle across the bed 12, a pair ofvariable print units l7, 18, a keyboard 19 and a facsimile signatureplate 20. The keys on the keyboard 19 are adapted to set the desiredinformation in the variable print units 17, 18. As is well understood inthe art, as the platen 16 moves across the bed in an imprinting cycle,the information set in the variable print units 17, 18 together with theinformation appearing on the credit card and the signature on thefacsimile signature plate 20, are imprinted on the document.

In accordance with the invention, the facsimile signature plate 20 isretained in position on the bed 12 by a plate retainer assemblyindicated generally by the reference numeral 22.

The plate retainer assembly comprises a leaf spring 24 which, in itsfree state, is shaped as shown in FIG. 4. Mounted on the leaf spring isa plate retainer 26. A pair of locator pins 28 extend through theforward edge of both the leaf spring 24 and the plate retainer 26 withthe end of the locator pins 28 formed into a shoulder under plateretainer 21 and being upset to form a rivet which secures the leafspring to the plate retainer. The

plate retainer further includes an upturned flange 30 at the rearwardedge thereof.

The retainer assembly is mounted on the bed 12 in the manner shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. Screws 32 extend through suitable openings in the leafspring 24 to clamp the leaf spring against the bed 12. Due to the freestate shape of the leaf spring 24, the flattening of the leaf springstresses it so that it exerts a clamping pressure against bed 12. Italso normally biases the plate retainer 26 and the locator pins 28 tothe position shown in FIG. 3 where the locator pins 28 are positioned inapertures 34 in the bed 12.

Usually the operator will stand at the keyboard side of the machinewhile inserting plate 20. Plate retainer 26 will then obscure thelocation of aperture 34. Therefore, a plate 35 is placed under theretainer'assembly with a front edge 35 thereof positioned to serve as agauge abutment. The operator may then drop the signature plate 20 on thebed, press it against the edge 35, and release the leaf spring to urgethe pins 28 to aperture 34. If the openings 40 are not properly alignedto accept pins 28, the operator merely slides the plate 20 laterally,using guide 35, until registration occurs.

To insert a facsimile signature plate 20, the operator presses down onthe flange 30 which causes the plate retainer 26 to pivot about thefulcrum 36 defined at the junction between the main body of the plateretainer 26 and the flange 30. This pivoting action causes the plateretainer 26 and the free end of the leaf spring 24 to move away from thebed 12 and withdraw the locator pins 28 from the openings 34.Thereafter, a facsimile signature plate 20 may be inserted and theflange 30 released. The stressed leaf spring 24 then returns the plateretainer 26 to the position shown in H0. 3 with the leaf spring 24engaging an edge of the facsimile signature plate and the locator pins28 passing through openings 40 in the facsimile signature plate 20 intothe apertures 34 in the bed. In this manner, the facsimile signatureplate is firmly held in a properly located position for imprinting thedocument.

I claim:

1. In a data recorder machine for imprinting documents, said machineincluding a bed, a variable data imprint wheel set, and a roller platenmovable across said bed in a path from a home position to a terminousand return, the improvement of a rapid change imprint plate retainerassembly for holding an imprint plate on said bed, comprising:

a spring having an anchor end and a free end with means for securingsaid anchor end to said bed; and

a spring actuator for manual operation of said spring,

said actuator having a first portion anchored to said spring and asecond portion projecting upwardly 2. In a data recordei machine forimprinting documents, as defined invclaim l, the provision of a gaugeplate underlying said spring to establish a limit of plate insertionunder said spring for alignment of a hole in a plate with said socketand pin.

3. In a data recorder machine for imprinting documents, as defined inclaim 1, wherein said spring is a flat leaf spring, and two sockets andtwo pins are provided for alignment of a plate.

1. In a data recorder machine for imprinting documents, said machineincluding a bed, a variable data imprint wheel set, and a roller platenmovable across said bed in a path from a home position to a terminousand return, the improvement of a rapid change imprint plate retainerassembly for holding an imprint plate on said bed, comprising: a springhaving an anchor end and a free end with means for securing said anchorend to said bed; and a spring actuator for manual operation of saidspring, said actuator having a first portion anchored to said spring anda second portion projecting upwardly from said bed and angled away fromsaid spring, said first and second portion merging in a fulcrum jointlocated between said spring ends; said bed having at least one socketfor receipt of a lock pin; and said assembly having a pin located insaid spring free end and orientated to project into said socket; wherebysaid pin is liftable from said socket by said actuator for insert andremoval of an imprint plate, and locking such plate to said base.
 2. Ina data recorder machine for imprinting documents, as defined in claim 1,the provision of a gauge plate underlying said spring to establish alimit of plate insertion under said spring for alignment of a hole in aplate with said socket and pin.
 3. In a data recorder machine forimprinting documents, as defined in claim 1, wherein said spring is aflat leaf spring, and two sockets and two pins are provided foralignment of a plate.